Chart: U staying close to home?

Gophers football coaches often place an emphasis on "closing the borders." How successful have they been? Well, we went back and looked at the 10 most recent recruiting classes, including the Class of 2013 expected to sign Wednesday, and looked at how many of the top 10 in-state players, according to Rivals.com, the Gophers signed. Those classes span three different coaches:

JERRY KILL

2013: Projected to sign two of top 10 in-state players but none of the four three-star or higher recruits.Comment: Minnesota got two-star Chris Wipson and walk-on Chad Fahning, while four-star James Onwualu went to Notre Dame and four-star Keelon Brookins to Wisconsin.

2012: Eight of top 10, seven of nine three-stars or higher. Comment: Got Philip Nelson, Andre McDonald, Jonah Pirsig and Isaac Hayes among others, while four-star Nick Davidson went to Stanford and Will Johnson to West Virginia.

2011: Five of top 10, five of nine three-stars or higher. Comment: Got Tommy Olson, but James Farrow got away to Virginia Tech.

TIM BREWSTER

2010: Two of top 10, both among seven three-stars or higher. Comment: Got two four-stars, Lamonte Edwards and Jimmy Gjere; five-star Seantrel Henderson went to Miami after originally committing to USC.

2009: Six of top 10, five of six three-stars or higher. Comment: Got three-stars Moses Alipate and Ra'shede Hageman; four-star Bryce McNeal went to Clemson.

2008: Four of top 10, two of seven three stars or higher. Comment: Got four-star Sam Maresh, but five-star Michael Floyd went to Notre Dame and four-star Willie Mobley to Ohio State.

2007: Five of top 10, five of 11 three stars and above. Comment: Got four-stars Anthony Jacobs and Andre Tate while three-star David Gilreath went to Wisconsin.

GLEN MASON

2006: Three of top 10, including three of nine three stars or higher. Comment: Got three-star Adam Weber. However, three four-stars went elsewhere, Matt Carufel to Notre Dame, Jordon McMichael to Boston College and Brandon Hoey to Wisconsin.

2005: Five of 10, five of 10 three stars or higher. Comment: Got three-stars Nate Triplett and Jay Thomas, but three four-stars left, and three-star James Laurinaitis went to Ohio State.

2004: Four of 10, two of six three stars or higher. Comment: Got three-star Dominque Barber. But lost two four-stars, Lydon Murtha went to Nebraska and Brandon Robinson to Boston College.

The Timberwolves, Wild, Gophers men's basketball, Gophers men's and women's hockey, and Gophers volleyball all are battling for your attention. We have game-planned a way for you to stay engaged/watch all six teams Friday night.

It took less than four laps for Dale Earnhardt Jr. to feel back at home in his race car. His test this week at Darlington Raceway was the final hurdle for NASCAR's most popular driver to earn clearance to compete next season.